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Porter in favor of having home runs reviewed by replay

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Must C: Crucial 4:49

5/8/13: After Adam Rosales' long fly ball in the ninth is called a double, reviewed and upheld, Bob Melvin gets tossed for arguing the call

By Brian McTaggart
/
MLB.com |

HOUSTON -- Manager Bo Porter likes the idea of using instant replay to get home run calls correct, but he wasn't ready to make any sweeping generalizations following Wednesday's home run controversy in Cleveland.

"You want to make sure that it's correct, whether the ball leaves the ballpark or doesn't leave the ballpark," Porter said.

The disputed play occurred when Oakland's Adam Rosales hit a long drive to left-center field for what appeared to be a game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth, but it was called in play on the field and Rosales reached second base. Numerous replays appeared to show the ball clearing the yellow line atop the fence at Progressive Field, caroming off a railing.

However, after the umpiring crew viewed the replay, crew chief Angel Hernandez emerged from beneath the stands and ruled that Rosales would have to stay at second base, drawing an angry reaction from A's manager Bob Melvin, who then was ejected. Oakland loaded the bases before a Seth Smith groundout ended the game.

Porter didn't want to address the Indians-A's play specifically.

"I think it's very dangerous to talk in hypotheticals when you talk about a sensitive topic in our game," he said. "I will say this: I'm one of those people that believe that anything we can do advance the fairness of our game and get it right, I'll be all for it."